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Born  in  a land  of  liberty,  and  breathing  an  air  uncorrupted  with  the 
sirocco  of  barbarous  climes,  I ever  feel  a double  anxiety  fer  the  happiness 
of  all  men,  both  in  time  and  in  eternity.  My  cogitations  like  Daniel’s,  have 
for  along  time  troubled  me,  when  I viewed  the  condition  of  men  throughout 
the  world,  and  more  especielly  in  this  boacted  realm,  where  the  Declaration 
of  Independence  ‘‘holds  these  truths  to  be  self  evident;  that  all  men  are 
“created  equal:  that  they  are  endowed  by  their  Creator,  with  certain  unal- 
“ienable  rights;  that  among  these  arelile,  liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happi- 
“ness,”  but  at  the  same  time,  some  tw'O  or  three  millions  of  people  are  held 
as  slaves  for  life,  because  the  spirit  in  them  is  covered  with  a darker  skin  than 
ours:  and  hundreds  of  our  own  kindred  for  an  infraction,  or  supposed  infrac- 
tion of  some  over-wise  statute,  have  to  be  incarcerated  in  dungeon  glooms, 
or  suflhr  the  more  moral  penctentiary  gravitation  of  mercy  in  a nut-shell, 
while  the  duellist,  the  debauchee,  and  the  defaulter  for  millions,  and  other 
criminals,  take  the  uppermost  rooms  at  feasts,  or,  like  the  bird  of  passage,  find 
a more  congenialclime  by  flighU  • v 

The  wisdom,  which  ought  to  characterize  the  freest,  wisest,  and  most 
noble  i>ation  of  the  nineteenth  century,  should,  like  the  sun  in  his  meridian 
splendor,  warm  every  object  beneath  its  rays:  and  the  main  efibrts  of  her 
officers,  who  Are  nothing  more  or  less  than  the  servants  of  the  people,  ought 
to  bo  directed  to  ameliorate  the  condition  of  all:  black  or  white,  bond  or  free; 
for  the  best  of  books  says,  “God  hath  made  of  one  blood  all  nations  of  men, 
♦♦  for  to  dwell  on  all  the  face  of  the  earth.” 

Our  common  country  presents  to  all  men  the  same  advantages;  the  same 
facilities;  the  same  prospects;  the  same  honors;  and  the  same  rewards:  and 
without  hypocrisy, the  Constitution  when  it  says  “We,  the  People  of  th© 
“ United  States,  in  order  to  form  a more  perfect  union,  establish  justice, 
“ ensure  trauqiiility,  provide  for  the  common  defence,  promote  the  general 
“ welfare,  and  secure  the  blessings  of  liberty  to  ourselves  and  our  posterity, 
“ do  ordain  and  establish  this  Constitution  for  the  United  States  of  America,” 
ht)«ant  just  what  it  said,  without  reference  to  color  or  condition:  ad  iTifinitum* 


appears  m said  uonstituiioot  ought  to  be  treated,  by  those  to  whom  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  laws  are  intrusted,  with  as  much  sanctity,  as  the  prayers 
of  the  saints  are  treated  in  heaven,  that  love,  confidence  and  union,  uko  the 
sun,  moon  and  stars  should  bear  witness. 


(For  over  alogiog  m they  ohine,) 
**Th*  kawi  that  wuuU us  is  dhins  I** 


ter/ 


Unity  is  power,  and  when  I reflect  on  the  importance  of  it  to  the  stabil- 
ity of  all  governments,  1 am  astounded  at  the  silly  moves  of  persons  and  par- 
ties, to  foment  discord  in  order  to  ride  into  power  on  the  current  of  popular 
excitement;  nor  am  1 less  surprized  at  the  stretches  of  power, or  restrictions 
of  right,  which  too  often  appear  as  acts  of  legislators,  to  pave  the  way  to  some 
favorite  political  schemes,  as  destitute  of  intrinsic  merit,  as  a wolf's  heart  is 
of  the  milk  of  human  kindness;  a Frenchman  would  say, ‘‘prosque  tout  aimer 
richesses  et  pouvoir;”  (almost  all  men  like  wealth  and  power.) 

I must  dwell  on  this  subject  longer  than  others,  for  nearly  one  hundred 
years  ago  that  golden  patriot,  Benjanfln  Franklin,  drew  up  a plan  of  union 
for  the  then  Colonies  of  Great  Britain  that  now  are  such  an  Independent 
nation,  which  among  many  wise  provisions  for  obedient  children  under  their 
father’s  more  rugged  hand,  had  this; — “they  have  power  to  make  laws,  and 
“ lay  and  levy  such  general  duties,  imports,  or  taxes,  as  to  them  shall  appear 
“most  equal  and  just,  (considering  the  ability  and  other  circumstances  of  the 
“ inhabitants  in  the  several  colonies,)  and  such  as  may  be  collected  with  the 
“ least  inconvenience  to  the  people;  rather  discouraging  luxury,  than  loading 
“ industry  with  unnecessary  burthens.”  Great  Britain  surely  lacked  the 
laudable  humanity  and  fostering  clemency  to  grant  such  a just  plan  of  union 
—but  the  sentiment  remains  like  the  land  that  honor’d  its  birth,  as  a pattern 
for  wise  men  to  stu  ly  th$  convenience  of  the  people  more  than  the  comfort  of 
the  cabinet. 

And  one  of  the  most  noble  fathers  of  our  freedom  and  country’s  glory ; 
great  in  war,  great  in  peace,  great  in  the  estimation  of  the  world,  and  great 
in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen,  the  illustrious  Washington*,  said  in  his  first 
inaugural  address  to  Congress;  “I  behold  the  surest  pledges  that  as,  on  one 
“ side,  no  local  prejudices  or  attachments,  no  separate  views  or  party  ani- 
“mosities,  will  misdirect  the  comprehensive  and  equal  eye  which  ought  to 
“ watcli  over  this  great  assemblage  of  communities  and  interests,  so,  on 
“ another,  that  the  foundations  of  our  national  policy  will  be  laid  in  the  pur# 
“and  immutable  principles  of  private  morality;  and  the  pre-eminence  of  free 
“ government  be  exemplified  oy  all  the  attributes  whion  can  win  the  afiec- 
“ tions  of  its  citizens,  and  command  the  respect  of  the  world,”  Verily,  here 
shines  the  virtue  and  wisdom  of  a statesman  in  such  lucid  rays  that  had  every 
succeeding  Congress  followed  the  rich  instruction,  in  all  their  deliberations 
and  enactments,  for  the  benefit  and  convenience  of  the  whole  community 
and  the  communities  of  which  it  is  composed,  no  sound  of  a rebellion  in 
South  Carolina;  no  rupture  in  Rhode  Island;  no  mob  in  Missouri  expelling 
her  citizens  by  executive  authority;  corruption  in  the  ballot  boxes;  a border 
warfare  between  Ohio  and  Michigan;  hard  times  and  distress;  outbreak  upon 
outbreak  in  the  principle  cities;  murder,  robbery,  and  defalcation,  scarcity 
of  money,  and  a thousand  other  difficulties,  would  have  torn  asunder  the 


bond*  of  the  union:  destroyed  the  confidence  of  man  with  man;  and  left  the 
the  great  body  of  the  people  to  mourn  over  misfortunes  in  poverty,  brought 
on  by  corrupt  legislation  m an  hour  of  proud  vanity,  for  self  oggrandizemenu 
The  great  Washington  soon  after  the  foregoing  faithful  admonition  for  the 
common  welfare  of  bis  nation,  further  advised  Congress  that  “among  tho 
“ many  interesting  ^^ojects  which  will  engage  your  attention,  that  of  provi- 
“ ding  for  the  common  defence  wiH  merit  particular  regard.  To  be  prepared 
“ for  war  is  one  of  the  most  efTectual  nacans  of  preserving  peace.”  As  the 
Italian  would  say;  Bu9no  avisoy  (good  advice.) 

The  elder  Adams  in  his  inaugural  address,  gives  national  pride  such  a 
grand  turn  of  justification,  that  every  honest  citizen  must  look  back  upon  the 
infancy  of  the  United  States  with  an  approving  smile  and  rejoice,  that  patri- 
otism m the  rulers,  virtue  in  the  people,  and  prosperity  in  the  union,  onc« 
crowned  the  expectations  of  hope;  unveiled  the  sophistry  of  the  hypocrite 
and  silenced  the  folly  of  foes:  Mr.  Adams  said,  “if  national  pride  is  ever 
“justifiable,  or  excusable,  it  is  when  it  springs,  not  from  power  ox  riches, 
“grandeur  or  glory, but  from  conviction  of  national  innocciice,  information 
“ and  benevolence.”  There  is  no  doubt  such  was  actually  the  case  with  our 
young  realm  at  the  close  of  the  last  century;  peace,  prosperity,  and  union, 
filled  the  country  with  religious  toleration,  temporal  enjoyment  and  virtuous 
enterprize;  and  grandly,  too,  when  the  deadly  vrinter  of  the  “Stamp  Aact,” 
the  “Tea  Act,”  and  other  close  communion  acts  of  royalty  had  choked  the 
growth  of  freedom  of  speech,  liberty  of  the  press,  and  liberty  of  conscience, 
did  light,  liberty  and  loyalty  flourish  like  the  cedars  of  God. 

The  respected  and  venerable  Thomas  Jefferson,  in  his  inaugural  address, 
made  more  than  forty  years  ago,  shews  what  a beautiful  prospect  an  inno- 
cent, virtuous  nation  presents  to  the  sage's  eye,  where  there  is  space  for 
enterprize:  hands  for  industry;  heads  for  heroes:  and  hearts  for  moral  great- 
ness. He  said,  “A  rising  niiion,  spread  over  a wide  and  fruitful  land,  tra- 
“ versing  all  the  seas  with  the  rich  productions  of  their  industry,  engaged  in 
“commerce  .with  nations  w'  o feel  power  and  forget  nght, advancing  rapidly 
“to  destinies  beyond  the  niach  of  mortal  eye;  when  1 contemplate  these 

transcendant  objects,  an<  see  the  honor,  the  happiness,  and  the  hopes  of 
“ this  beloved  country  com  nitted  to  the  issue  and  the  auspices  of  this  day, 

I shrink  from  the  contem]  lation,  and  humble  nayself  before  the  magnitude 
“of  the  undertaking.”  Si'2h  a prospect  was  trul^  soul  stirring  to  a goo i 
man,  but  “since  the  Fathe/’aliave  fallen  asleep,”  wicked  and  designing  men, 
have  unrobed  the  government  of  its  glory ,^and  the  people,  if  not  m dust  and 
ashes,  or  in  sack  cloth,  have  to  lament  in  poverty,  tier  departed  greatness: 
while  demagogues  build  fires  in  the  north  and  south,  east  and  west,  to  keep  up 
their  spirits  iul  itis  better  Arnes:  but  year  after  year  has  left  the  people  to 
hope  till  the  very  name  of  Congressyox  Slate  Legislalure^  is  as  horrible  to  tho 
sensitive  friend  of  his  country,  as  the  house  of  “Blue  Beard”  is  to  children; 
or  “Crocketts”  Hell  of  London,  to  meek  men.  When  tho  people  are  secure 
and  their  rights  properly  respected,  then  the  four  main  pillars  of  prosperty, 
viz:  agriculture,  manufactures, navigation,  and  commerce,  need  the  fostering 
care  of  government:  and  in  so  goodly  a country  as  ours,  where  the  soil,  the 
climate,  the  rivers,  the  lakes,  and  the  sea  coast;  the  productions,  the  timber, 
the  minerals;  and  the  Inhabitants  are  so  diversified,  that  a pleasing  variety 
accommodates  all  tastes,  trades,  and  calculations,  it  certainly  is  the  highest 
point  of  supervision  to  protect  the  whole  northern  and  southern,  eastern  and 
western,  centre  and  circumference  of  the  realm,  by  a judicious  tariff*.  It  i« 


an  old  saying  and  a tkaie  one,  if  you  w isli  to  be  r*specUd^  respect  yoiuv 
selves,”  . •.  - ' ' , 

I will  adopt,  in  pari,  the  language  of  Mr.  Madison's  inaugui^  address,  ^ To 
“ cherish  peace  and  friendly  intercourse  w ith  all  nations,  having  correspond- 

ent  dispositions;  to  maintain  sincere  neutrality  towards  belligerent  nations;  | 
**  to  preier  in  all  cases  amicable  discussion  and  reasonable  accommodation  of  ■ 
“ dinerences  to  a decision  of  them  by  an  appeal  to  arms;  to  exclude  foreign 

intrigues  and  foreign  partialities,  so  degrading  to  all  countries,  and  so  bane- 
‘‘ful  to  free  one?;  to  foster  a spirit  of  independence  too  just  to  invade  the 
“ rights  of  others,  too  proud  to  surrender  our  own,  too  liberal  to  indulge  un- 

worthy  prejudicies  ourselves,  and  too  elevated  not  to  look  down  upon  them  | 
“in  others;  to  hold  the  union  of  the  States  as  the  bases  of  their  peace  and 
“ happiness;  to  support  the  constitution,  which  is  the  cement  of  the  union,  as 
“ welt  as  in  its  limitations  as  in  its  authorities;  to  respect  the  rights  and  author-  | 
“ ities  reserved  to  the  States  and  to  tlie  people,  as  equally  incorporated  with,  i 

“and  essential  to  the  success,  of  the  general  system;  to  avoid  the  slightest  i 

“ interference  with  the  rights  of  conscience,  or  the  functions  of  religion,  [ 

“so  wusely  exempted  from  civil  jurisdiction;  to  preserve  in  their  full  energy,  i 

“ the  other  salutary  provisions  in  behalf  of  private  and  personal  rights,  and  of  » 

“ the  freedom  of  the  press;”  as  far  as  intention  aids  in  the  fulfillmeiit  of  duty,  j 

are  consummations  to  big  with  benefits  not  to  captivate  the  energies  of  all  j 

honest  men  to  achieve  them,  when  they  can  be  brought  to  pass  by  reciprcw  ■ 

cation,  friendly  alliances,  wise  legislation,  and  honorable  treaties,  j 

The  government  has  once  flourished  under  the  guidance  of  trusty  servants;  | 

and  the  Hon.  Mr.  Munroe  in  his  day,  while  speaking  of  the  Constitution:  | 

says,  “ our  commerce  has  been  wisely  regulated  with  foreign  nations,  and  f 

“between  the  states;  new  states  have  been  admitted  into  our  union;  our  i 

“ teritory  has  been  enlarged  by  fair  and  honorable  treaty,  and  with  great  I 

“advantage  to  the  original  states;  the  states  respectively  protected  by  the  j 

“ national  government,  under  a mild  paternal  system  against  foreign  dangers,  | 

“and  enjoying  witliin  their  separate  spheres,  by  a wise  partition  of  power,  a 
“just  proportion  of  the  sovereignty,  have  improved  their  police,  extended 
“ their  settlements,  and  attained  a strength  and  maturity  which  are  the  best 
“ proofs  of  wholsome  law  well  administered.  And  if  we  look  to  the  condU 
“ tion  ol  individuals,  what  a proud  spectacle  does  it  exhibit  ? who  has  been 
“deprived  of  any  right  of  person  or  jiroperty  ? who  restrained  from  offering 
“ his  vows  in  the  mode  in  which  he  prefers,  to  the  Divine  Author  of  his  being? 

“ It  is  well  knowm  that  all  these  blessings  have  been  enjoyed  in  their  fullest 
“ extent;  and  I add,  with  peculiar  satisfaction,  that  there  has  been  no  exani- 
“ pie  of  a capital  punishment  being  inflicted  on  any  one  for  the  crime  of  high 
“ treason.”  What  a delightful  picture,  of  power,  policy  and  prosperity  ! f 
Truly  the  wise  man’s  proverb  is  just:  “Sedaukauh  teromfiin  goy,  veh-Ka-sado 
le-u-mdem  khahmaut.”  Righteousness  exalteth  a nation,  but  sin  is  a reproach 
to  any  people. 

But  this  is  not  all.  The  same  honorable  statesman,  after  having  had  a-* 
bout  forty  years  experience  in  the  government,  under  the  full  tide  of  success- 
ful experiment,  gives  the  following  commendatory  assurance  of  the  eflicien- 
cy  of  the  magna  charta  to  answer  its  great  end  and  aim:  To  protect  the  peo- 
ple in  their  nghts,  “ Such,  then,  is  the  happy  government  undt  r which  we 

live;  a government  adequate  to  every  purpose  for  which  the  social  compact 
**  is  formed;  a government  elective  in  all  its  branches,  under  which  every  cit- 


tn 

“izen  may,  by  his  merit,  obtain  the  highest  trust  Recognized  by  the  coitslitil- 
“ tlon;  which  contains  witlun  it  no  cause  of  discord;  hone  to  put  at  variance 
“ one  portion  of  the  community  w ith  another;  a government  wlRich  protects 
“ every  citizen  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  his  rights,  and  is  able  to  protect  the 
“ nation  against  injustice  from  foreign  powers.” 

Again,  the  younger  Adams  in  the  silver  age  of  our  country's  advancement 
to  fame,  in  his  inaugural  address,  (1825)  thus  candidly  declares  the  majesty  of 
the  youthful  Republic,  in  its  increasing  greatness.  “ The  year  of  jubilee  since 
**the  first  formation  of  our  union  has  just  elapsed;  that  of  the  declaration  of 
“Indedepend  mce  is  at  hand.  The  consummation  of  both  was  cfFectcd  by 
this  constitution.  Since  that  period,  a population  of  four  millions  has  multi- 
“ plied  to  twelve.  A territory,  bounded  by  the  Mississippi,  has  been  ex- 
tended  from  sea  to  sea.  New  states  have  been  admitted  to  the  union,  iri 
“ numbers  nearly  equal  td  those  of  the  first  confederation.  T rcatics  of  peace, 
amity  and  commerce,  have  been  concluded  with  the  principle  dominiorl^*  of 
“ the  earth.  The  people  of  other  nations,  the  irtliabitarits  of  regions  acquired, 
“ not  by  conquest,  but  by  compact,  hate  been  united  with  us  m the  partici- 
“ nation  of  our  rights  and  duties,  of  our  burdens  and  blessings.  The  forest 
**  nas  fallen  by  the  axe  of  our  woodsmen;  the  soil  has  been  made  to  teem  by 
“ the  tillage  of  our  farmers;  our  commerce  has  whitened  every  ocean.  The 
“ dominion  of  man  over  physical  nature  has  been  extended  by  the  invention  of 
“ our  artists.  Liberty  and  law  have  walked  hand  in  hand.  All  the  purposes 
**  of  human  association  have  been  acccomplished  as  effectively  as  under  any 
“other government  on  the  globe,  and  at  a cost  little  exceeding,  in  a whole 
“ generation,  the  expenditures  of  other  nations  in  a single  year. 

In  continuation  of  such  noble  sentiments,  Gen.  Jackson,  upon  Ids  r jccn- 
sion  to  the  great  chair  of  the  chief  magistracy:  said,  “As  long  as  our  gov- 
“ ernment  is  administered  for  the  good  of  the  people,  and  is  regulated  by  their 
“ will;  as  long  as  it  secures  to  us  the  rights  of  person  and  property^  liberty  of 
“ conscience,  and  of  the  press,  it  will  be  w^orth  defending;  and  so  longn*  it 
“ is  worth  defending,  a patriouc  militia  will  cover  it  with  and  impenetrable 
icgis.”  ' 

General  Jackson’s  administration  may  be  denominated  the  acme  of  Amer- 
ican glory,  liberty  and  prosperity,  for  the  national  debt,  which  in  1315,  on 
account  of  thq  lata  war,  was  §125,000,000,  and  lessened  gradually,  was  paid 
up  in  his  golden  day;  and  preparations  were  made  to  distribute  the  surplus 
revenue  among  the  several  states:  and  that  august  patriot,  to  use  his  own 
words  in  his  farew’ell  address,  retired  leaving  “ a great  people  prosperous  and 
“happy,  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  liberty  and  peace^  honored  and  respected 
“ by  every  nation  of  the  world.” 

‘'At  the  oge,  then,  of  sixty  years  out  blooming  Republic  began  to  decline 
Under  the  withering  touch’of  Martin  Van  Buren!  Disappointed  ambilion; 
thirst  for  power,  pride, corruption, party  spirit,  faction,  patronage;  perquisites, 
famev  tangling  alliances;  priest-craft  and  spiritual  wickedness  in  high  plac^s^ 
struck  bands,  and  reveled  in  midnight  splendor.  Trouble,  vexatk>n)  per- 
plexity and  contention,  mingled  with  hope,  fear  and  murmuring,  rumbled 
through  the  union  and  agitated  the  whole  nation  as  would  an  earthquake  at 
the  centre  of  the  earth  the  world,  heaving  the  sea  beyond  its  bounds,  and 
shaking  the  everlasting  hills-;  So,  in  hopes  of  better  limes,  while  jcalousv, 
hypocritical  pretentions,  and  pompous  ambition,  were  luxuriating  on  the  ill- 


[«] 

gotten  ipoili  of  the  people,  they  rose  in  their  mtjeety  like  a tornado,  and 
fwepl  through  the  land,  till  General  Uarruon  appeared,  aa  a itar  among  the 
ttorm  clouds,  fur  better  weather,  v . 

The  calm  came;  and  the  language  of  that  venerable  patriot^  in  his  ioau- 
^ral  address,  while  descanting  upon  the  merits  of  the  constitution  and  iu 
framers,  thus  expressed  hirnsell.  ♦‘There  were  in  it  features  which  appear- 
“ ed  not  to  be  in  harmony  with  their  ideas  of  a simple  representative  democ- 
“racy  or  republic.  And  knowing  the  tendency  ot  power  to  increase  itself, 
“ particularly  when  executed  by  a single  individual,  predictions  were  made 
“ that,  at  no  very  remote  poriod,  the  government  would  terminate  in  virtual 
“ monarchy.  It  would  not  become  me  to  say  that  the  fears  of  these  patriots 
“have  been  already  realized.  But  as  I sincerely  believe  that  the  tendency  of 
“ measures  and  of  men's  opinions,  for  some  yea  s past,  has  been  in  that  dircc- 
“ tion,  it  is,  I conceive,  strictly  proper  that  I should  take  this  occasion  to  re- 
“ peat  the  assurances  I have  heretofore  given,  of  my  determination  to  arrest 
“ the  progress  of  that  tendency  if  it  really  exists,  and  restore  the  government 
“ to  its  pristine  health  and  vigor.”  This  good  man  died  before  he  had 
the  opportunity  of  applying  one  balm  to  eas^  the  pain  of  our  groaning 
country,  and  I am  willing  the  nation  should  be  the  jucfge,  wheth'  r GenerM 
Harrison,  in  his  exalted  station,  upon  the  eve  of  his  entrance  into  the  world 
of  spirits,  told  the  truth  or  not:  with  acting  president  Tyler’s  three  years  of 
perplexity  and  pseudo  whig  democrat  reign,  to  heal  the  breaches,  or  show 
the  wounds,  secundum  artum^  (according  to  art.)  Subsequent  events,  all 
things  considered,  Van  Buren’s  downfall,  Harrison's  exit,  and  Tyler’s  self- 
lufBcient  turn  to  the  whole,  go  to  shew,  as  a Chaldean  might  exclaim:  Be- 
r^  etki  eliuh  beshmayfiuh  gauhfih  rauz6en:  (Certainly  there  is  a Qod  in 
heaven  to  reveal  secrets. 

So  honest  man  can  doubt  for  a moment,  but  the  glory  of  American  liber, 
ty,  is  on  the  wane;  arid,  that  calamity  and  confusion  will  sooner  or  later, 
destroy  the  peace  of  the  people.  Speculators  will  urge  a national  bank  as  a 
savior  of  credit  and  comfort.  A hireling  py^eudo  priesthood  will  plausibly 
push  abolition  doctrines  and  doings,  and  “ lAman  rights,”  into  Congress  and 
into  every  otner  place,  where  conquest  smells  of  fame,  or  opposition  swells 
to  popularity.  Democracy,  Whigery  and  Cliquery,  will  attract  their  ele- 
ments and  foment  divisions  among  the  people,  to  accomplish  fancied  schemes 
and  accumulate  power,  while  poverty  driven  to  despair,  like  hunger  forcing 
its  way  through  a wall,  will  break  through  the  statutes  of  men,  to  save  life, 
and  mend  the  orcach  in  prison  glooms. 

A still  higher  grade,  of  what  the  “ nobility  of  nations”  call  “great  men,” 
will  dally  with  all  rights  in  order  to  smuggle  a fortune  at  “ one  fell  swoop:” 
mortgage  Texas,  possess  Oregon,  and  claim  all  the  unsettled  regions  of  the 
world  for  hunting  and  trapping;  and  should  a humble  honest  man,  red,  black, 
or  white,  exhibit  a better  title,  these  gentry  have  only  to  clothe  the  judge 
with  richer  ermine,  and  spangle  the  lawyer’s  fingers  with  finer  rings,  to 
have  the  judgment  of  his  peers,  and  the  honor  of  his  lords,  os  a pattern  of 
honesty,  virtue  and  humanity,  while  the  motto  hangs  on  hii  nation’s  escutch- 
eon: ^ Every  man  has  his  price  P"* 

Now,  oh!  people!  people!  turn  unto  the  Lord  and  live;  and  reform  this 
nation.  Frustrate  ihe  designs  of  wicked  men.  Reduce  Congress  at  least 
one  half.  Two  Senators  from  a state  and  two  members  to  u mtllion  of  popu- 


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latioDjWill  do  more  business  than  the  army  that  now  occupy  iho  halls  of  the 
National  Legislature.  Pay  them  two  dollars  and  their  board  per  diem;  (ex- 
cept Sundays,)  that  is  more  than  the  farmer  gets,  and  he  lives  honestly.  Cur- 
tail the  offices  of  government  in  pay,  number,  and  power,  for  the  Philistine 
I6rds  have  shorn  our  nation  of  its  goodly  locks  in  the  lop  of  Delilah. 

Petition  your  state  legislatures  to  pardon  every  convict  in  their  several 
penitentiaries:  blessing  them  as  they  go,  and  saying  to  them  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord,  go  thy  way  and  sin  no  rr.ore*  Advise  your  legislators  when  they  make 
laws  for  larceny,  burglary  or  any  felony,  to  make  the  penalty  applicable  to 
work  upon. roads,  public  works,  or  any  place  where  the  culprit  can  be  taught 
more  wisdom  and  more  virtue  ; and  become  more  enlightened.  Rigor  and 
seclusion  will  never  do  as  much  to  reform  the  propensities  of  man,  as  reason 
and  friendship.  Murder  only  can  claim  confinement  or  death.  Let  the  pen- 
itentiaries be  turned  into  seminaries  of  learning,  w’hero  iut  lligence,  like  tho 
angels  of  heaven,  would  banish  such  fragments  of  b."  - 'm:  Imprison- 
ment for  debt  is  a meaner  practice  than  the  savage  ■**:  'dth  all  his  fa- 

rocity.  “Amor  vincit  omnia.”  Ivove  conquers  a’m 

Petition  also,  ye  goodly  inhabitants  of  the  slave  state?,  your  legislators  to 
hbolish  slavery  by  the  year  1850,  or  now,  and  - the  abolitionist  from  re- 
proach and  ruin,  infamy  and  shame.  Pray  fo  pay  every  man  a 

reasonable  pricq  for  his  slaves  out  of  the  suipi  zcvt.iue  arising  from  the 
sale  of  public  lands,  and  from  the  deduction  of  pay  from  the  members  of  Con-* 

fress.  Break  off  the  shackles  from  the  poor  black  man,  and  hire  him  to  la- 
or  like  other  human  beings;  for  “ an  hour  of  virtuous  liberty  on  earth,  is 
worth  a whole  eternity  of  bondage!”  Abolish  the  practice  in  the  army  and 
navy  of  trying  men  by  court  martial  for  desertion;  if  a soldier  or  marine 
runs  away,  send  him  his  wages,  with  this  instruction,  that  his  country  will 
never  trust  him  again;  he  has  forfeited  his  honor.  Make  HONOH  th« 
standard  with  all  men:  be  sure  that  good  is  rendered  for  evil  in  all  cases: 
find  the  whole  nation,  like  a kingdom  of  kings  and  priests,  will  rise  up  in  right- 
eousness: and  be  respected  as  wise  and  worthy  on  earih:  and  as  just  and 
hoi V for  heaven,  by  Jehovah  the  author  of  perfection.  More  economy  in 
the  national  and  state  governments,  would  make  less  taxes  among  the  people: 
more  equality  through  the  cities,  towns  and  country,  would  make  less  dis- 
tinction among  the  people;  and  more  honesty  and  familiarity  in  ‘societies, 
would  make  less  hypocrisy  and  flattery  in  all  branches  ol  the  community; 
and  open,  frank,  candid,  decorum  to  all  nen,  in  this  boasted  land  of  liberty, 
would  beget  esteem,  confidence,  union  and  love;  and  the  neighbor  from  any 
State,  or  from  any  country,  of  whatever  color,  clime  or  tongue,  could  rejoice 
when  he  puts  his  foot  on  the  sacred  soil  of  freedom,  and  exclaim:  tho  very 
name  of  “ American^  is  fraught  with  friendship!  Oh!  then,  create  confidence! 
restore  freedom!  break  down  slavery!  banish  imprisonment  for  debt,  and  be 
in  love, fellowship  and  peace  with  all  the  world!  Remonriber  that  hone.sty  is 
not  subject  to  law:  the  law  was  made  for  transgressors:  wherefore  a Dutch'! 
nriaB  might  exclaim;  ^in  ehrlicher  name  isi  besser  als  Reichthum,  (a  good 
name  is  better  than  riches.) 

For  the  accommodation  of  the  people  in  every  state  and  territory,  let  Cofr« 
gress  shew  .their  wisdom  by  granting  a national  bank,  with  branches  in  each 
state  and  territory,  where  the  capital  stock  shall  be  held  by  the  nation  for 
the  mother  bank;  and  by  the  slates  and  territories,  for  the  branohea:  and 
whose  officers  and  director?  shall  be  elected  yearly  by  the  people  with  wages 


t >0] 


ft‘t  the  rate  of  two  dollars  per  day  for  iervicei:  which  teveral  banks  shall  ner- 
er  ikue  any  more  bills  than  the  amount  of  capital  stock  in  her  vaults  and  the 
interest.  The  nett  gain  of  the  mother  bank  shall  be  applied  to  the  national 
revenue,  and  that  of  the  branches  to  the  states  and  territories*  revenues. 
And  the  bills  shall  be  par  throughout  the  nation,  which  will  mercifully  cure 
that  fatal  disorder  know  in  cities,  as  brokeiage;  and  leave  the  people's  mo- 
ney in  their  own  pockets. 

Give  every  man  his  constitutional  frjsedom,  and  the  president  iull  power 
to  send  an  army  to  suppress  mobs;  and  the  states  authority  to  repeal  ahd  im'« 
pugn  that  relic  of  folly,  which  makes  it  necessary  for  the  governor  of  a state 
to  make  the  demand  of  the  president  for  troops,  in  cases  of  invasion  or  rebell- 
ion The  governor  himself  may  be  a mobber  and,  instead  of  being  punished, 
as  he  should  be  for  murder  and  treason,  he  may  destroy  the  very  lives,  rights, 
and  property  ht  should  protect.  Like  the  good  Samaritan,  send  every  law- 
yer as  soon  as  he  repents  and  obeys  the  ordinances  of  heaven,  to  preach  the 
gospel  to  the  destitute,  without  purse  or  scrip,  pouring  in  the  oil  and  the  wine; 
a learned  priesthood  is  certainly  more  honorable  than  “c/n  hireling  clergy '' 


As  to  the  contiguous  territories  to  the  United  States,  wisdom  would  direct 
no  tangling  alliance;  Oregon  belongs  to  this  government  honorably,  and 
when  we  have  the  red  man’s  consent,  let  the  union  spread  from  the  east  to 
the  west  sea;  and  if  Texas  petitions  Congress  to  be  adopted  among  the  sons 
of  liberty,  give  her  the  right  hand  of  fellowship;  and  refuse  not  the  same 
friendly  grip  to  Canada  and  Mexico:  and  when  the  light  arm  of  freemen  is 
stretched  out  in  the  character  of  a navy,  for  the  protection  of  rights,  com- 
merce and  honor,  let  the  iron  eyes  of  power,  watch  from  Maine  to  Mexico, 
and  from  California  to  Columbia;  thus  may  union  be  strengthened,  and  for- 
eign speculation  prevented  from  opposing  broadside  to  broadside. 

Seventy  years  have  done  much  for  this  goodly  land;  they  have  burst  the 
chains  of  oppression  and  monarchy;  and  multiplied  its  inhabitants  from  two 
to  twenty  millions;  with  a proportionate  share  of  knowledge:  keen  enough  to 
circumnavigate  the  globe;  draw  the  lightning  from  the  clouds*;  and  cope 
with  all  the  crowned  heads  of  the  world. 


Then  why  1 Oh!  why!  will  a once  flourishing  people  not  arise,* phcenU 
like,  over  the  cinders  of  Martin  Van  Buren’s  pow'er;  and  over  the  sinking 
fragments  and  smoking  ruins  of  other  catamount  politicians;  and  over  the 
wind-falls  of  Benton,  Calhoun,  Clay,  Wright,  and  a caravan  of  other  equally 
uniortunate  law  doctors,  and  cheerfully  help  to  spread  a plaster  and  bind  up 
hurnt^  bleeding  wounds  a sore  but  blessed  country?  The  southern 
people  are  hospitable  and  noble:  they  will  help  to  rid  so  free  a country  of  cv^ 
ery  vestige  of  slavery,  when  ever  they  are  assured  of  an  equivalent  mr  theif 
property.  The  country  will  be  full  of  money  and  confidence,  when  a na-* 
tional  bank  of  twenty  millions,  and  a state  bank  in  every  state,  with  a mill- 
ion or  more,  gives  a tone  to  monetary  matters,  and  make  a circulating  medi- 
um as  valuable  in  the  purses  of  a whole  community,  as  in  the  coffers  of  a 
speculating  banker  or  broker. 

The  people  may  have  faults  but  they  never  should  be  trifled  with.  1 think 
Mr.  Pitt’s  quotation  in  the  British  Parliament  of  Mr.  Prior’s  couplet  for  the 
husband  and  wife,  to  apply  to  the  course  which  the  king  and  ministry  of  Eng- 
land should  pursue  to  the  then  colonies,  of  the  now  United  States,  might  be 


,[  " 3 

a genuine  rule  of  action  for  some  of  the  breath  made  men  in  high  placet,  te 
uift  towards  the. posterity  of  that  noble  daring  people: 

**  fie  to  her  faults  a little  blindi 
**  fie  to  her  rirtuea  very  kind.’’ 

We  have  had  democratic^  presidents:  whig  presidents;  a pseudo  demo- 
cratic whig  president;  and  now  it  is  time  to  have  a prendent  of  the  United 
States;  apd  let  the  people  of  the  whole  union,  like  th^  inflexible  Romans, 
whenever  they  fnd  a made  by  a capdid‘'tte,  that  •'  not  ^aciised  as  an 
officer,  hurl  the  miserable  sycophant  from  his  exaltatic  , as  God  did  Nebu- 
chadnezzar, to  crop  the  grass  of  the  field,  with  a beasi’s  heart  among  the 
jcattle. 

Mr.  Van  Buren  said  in  his  inaugural  address,  that  he  went  “into  the  pres- 
^ idential  chair  the  inflexible  and  uncompromising  opponent  of  every  attempt, 
“ on  the  part  of  Congress,  to  abolish  slavery  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  a- 
“ gainst  the  wishes  ot  the  slave  holding  states;  and  also  with  a determination 
“ equally  decided  to  resist  the  slightest  interference  with  it  in  the  states  where 
it  exists.’Toor  little  Matty  made  this  rhapsodical  sweep  with  the  fact  before 
his  eyes,  that  the  state  of  New-York,  his  native  state,  had  abolished  slavery, 
without  a struggle  or  a groan.  Great  God,  how  independent!  From  hence- 
forth slavery  is  tolerated  where  it  exists:  constitution  or  no  constitution;  peo- 
ple or  no  people;  right  or  wrong;  vox  Matti;  vox  Diaboli:  “the  voice  of  Mat- 
ty”— ^“the  voice  of  the  devil;-’ and  peradventure,  his  great  “Sub-Treasury” 
scheme  was  a piece  of  the  same  mind:  but  the  mai  and  lus  measures  have  such 
a stricking  resemblance  to  the  anecdote  of  the  Welchman  and  his  cart-tongue, 
that,  when  the  constitution  was  so  long  that  it  allowed  slavery  at  the  capitol  of  a 
free  people,  it  could  not  be  cut  oflT;  but  when  it  was  so  short  that  it  needed  a 
Sub-Treasury^  to  save  the  funds  of  the  nation,  it  could  be  spliced!  Oh,  granny, 
granny,  what  a long  tail  our  puss  has  got!  As  a Greek  might  say,  hysteron 
proteron:  the  cart  before  the  horse:  but  his  mighty  whisk  through  the  great 
national  fire,  for  the  presidential  chesnuts,  burnt  the  locks  of  his  glory  wiO^ 
the  blare  of  his  folly! 

In  the  United  States  the  people  are  the  government;  and  their  united  voice 
)8  the  only  sovereign  that  should  rule;  the  only  power  that  should  be  obey- 
ed; and  the  only  gentlemen  that  should  be  honored;  at  home  and  abroad;  on 
the  land  and  on  the  sea:  Wherefore,  were  I the  president  of  the  Unit  ^ 
jStates,  by  the  voice  of  a virtuous  people,  I would  honor  the  old  paths  of  the 
venerated  fathers  of  freedom:  I would  walk  in  the  tracks  of  the  illustrious 
patriots,  who  carried  the  ark  of  the  government  upon  their  shoulders  with 
an  eye  single  to  the  glory  of  the  people*  and  when  that  people  petitioned  to 
abolish  slavery  in  tlio  slave  states,  1 would  use  all  honorable  means  to  have 
their  prayers  granted:  and  give  liberty  to  the  captive;  by  paying  the  south- 
ern gentleman  a reasonable  equivalent  for  his  property,  that  the  whole  nation 
might  be  free  indeed!  When  the  people  petitioned  for  a national  bank,  T would 
use  my  best  endeavors  to  have  their  prayers  answered,  and  establish  one  on 
national  principles  to  save  taxes,  ana  make  them  the  controllers  of  its  ways 
and  means;  and  when  the  people  petitioned  to  possess  the  teritory  of  Oregon 
or  any  other  contiguous  teritory;  I would  lend  the  influence  of  a chief  ma- 
gistrate to  grant  so  reasonable  a request,  that  they  might  extend  the  mighty  ef- 
orti  and  enterprize  of  a free  preople  from  the  east  to  the  west  sea;  and  make 
the  wilderness  blossom  as  the  rose:  and  when  a neighboring  realm  petioned 

LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  iLtINOIS 
AT  URBANA- CHAMPAIGN 


[ 19  ] 


to  join  the  union  of  the  lonj  of  liberty/^  my  voice  would  be,  cdffte:  yea  ctAsVe 
Texas:  come  Mexico;  come  Canada;  and  come  all  the  Vorld — fel  us  be 
brethren:  let  us  be  one  great  family;  and  let  there  be  universal  peace.  Abol- 
ish the  cruer  custom  of  prisons,  (except  certain  cases,)  penetentiaries,  and 
court-martials  for  desertion;  and  let  reason  and  friendship  reign  over  the  ruins 
of  ignorance  and  barbanty;  yea  I would,  as  the  universal  friend  of  man,  open 
the  prisons;  open  the  eyes,  ;;'en  the  ears  and  open  the  hearts  of  all  people, 
to  behold  and  enjoy  tree  i , unadulterated  freedom:  and  God,  who' onoe 
cleansed  the  violence  of  tr.'>  oirth  with  a flood;  whose  Son  laid  down  his  life 
for  the  salvation  of  all  his  father  gave  him  out  of  the  world;  and  who  has  pro- 
mised that  he  will  come  and  purify  the  world  a^in  with  fire  in  the  last  days^ 
should  be  supplicated  by  me  for  the  good  of  all  people.  , ; 


With  the  highest  esteem, 

I am  a friend  of  virtue, 
and  of  the  peopl 


people, 

Joseph  smith. 


Nauvoo,  Illinois,  February  7,  1844. 


r 


• . • 


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^77  -S 


